Bridgetown, July 17: Cricket lost one of its tallest icons on Friday with the death of Sir Garfield Sobers, the peerless West Indian whose breathtaking all-round brilliance made him one of the greatest players the game has ever known.
He was 89, and his death leaves a legacy that transcends generations.
The death of the former West Indies captain was confirmed by his son Daniel.Born in Bridgetown, Barbados, in 1936, Sobers was exactly 11 days shy of completing his 90th birthday.
Widely regarded as the game’s greatest all-rounder, Sobers played 93 Tests and scored 8,032 runs at 57.78 with 26 centuries and 30 half-centuries between March 1954 to April 1974.
A left-handed batter, who also could also bowl left-arm pace, wrist spin and orthodox spin, Sobers claimed 235 wickets in Test cricket. He played in a solitary ODI, taking one wicket. He was also a splendid fielder.
He was also the first-ever batter to have hit six sixes in an over in First-Class cricket, playing for Nottinghamshire against Glamorgan in 1968.“A great innings has come to an end. In our hearts, now and forever, Sir Garfield Sobers,” wrote Cricket West Indies on X.The BCCI said Sobers has left an “enduring legacy to inspire generations”.“The BCCI mourns the passing of Sir Garfield Sobers, a true icon of the game and one of cricket’s greatest-ever all-rounders,” it said on X.“His extraordinary achievements, lasting influence on Caribbean cricket and immeasurable contribution to the global game have left an enduring legacy that will continue to inspire generations.”
Nottinghamshire said in their statement, “Nottinghamshire are extremely saddened to hear of the passing of Sir Garfield Sobers, at the age of 89.” “Arriving at Trent Bridge shortly after rules on overseas players appearing in the County Championship were relaxed, Sobers was immediately appointed captain, and lifted Notts from 15th place to fourth in his first summer of English domestic cricket.” “That season ended with Sobers becoming the first batsman ever to hit six sixes in a single over of six consecutive balls in First-Class cricket, as he put Glamorgan to the sword at Swansea,” the club added. Sobers captained the West Indies in 39 Tests between 1965 and 1972, winning nine, drawing 20 while losing 10.He made his debut in First-Class cricket at the age of 16 and went on to make his maiden Test appearance a year later, against England at Kingston.
Paying tribute to the legendary all-rounder, former India captain Sunil Gavaskar called it “probably the saddest day for the game of cricket”.
“The greatest cricketer to walk the earth has left us. No words can ever do justice to Sir Garfield Sobers. He was everything we dream of becoming when we pick up the bat or the ball as kids. Memories keep flooding back and that’s what I will be holding forever close to my heart. Rest in peace, Sir Garfield. You will stay eternally in our hearts,” Gavaskar said. (PTI)
